Aguero raced through to slot past Manuel Neuer in the 85th and 91st minutes to snatch a stunning win, the Argentine having given City a 21st minute lead with a penalty after Bayern's Mehdi Benatia was shown a red card for bringing him down.

Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski had struck within five minutes of each other shortly before halftime to put the visitors in front at the break.

City are level on five points with CSKA Moscow and AS Roma, who earlier drew 1-1, and know if they win in Rome and the Russians fail to beat Bayern in the final round of Group E matches they will qualify for the last 16.

Manchester City v Bayern Munich - player ratings

Manchester City v Bayern Munich - player ratings

1/22
Joe Hart: 4

He may be sporting a moustache, but this was not the performance of a Seaman or Southall. The England No 1 found himself nowhere near either goal.

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2/22
Bacary Sagna: 3

Bullied by Lewandowski as the Polish striker nudged ahead of him to head in. He is on the periphery of the City squad, and it showed – looked rusty.

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3/22
Vincent Kompany: 4

Ended up in no-man’s land to allow Lewandowski to sneak in behind to head Bayern in front. Not the typically assured performance we have come to expect.

4/22
Eliaquim Mangala: 3

A surprise pick by Manuel Pellegrini, and looked well off pace at the Etihad as Bayern began to pass their way through the City defence.

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5/22
Gael Clichy: 5

Stormed forward in the early stages as City started with vigour, but was eventually forced back and lost Boateng as he crossed for second Bayern goal.

6/22
Fernando: 4

Given the run-around by the veteran Xabi Alonso and his wonderful passing at the Etihad. The Brazilian international was wasteful in possession too, disposed on more than one occasion.

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7/22
Jesus Navas: 7

The tricky Spaniard’s pace had Bayern worried throughout the match, but he was not given enough service as Bayern drained City of the ball.

8/22
Frank Lampard: 7

The 36-year-old may only have one more Champions League match left. Rolled back the years with lovely pass in move which ended in Aguero winning the penalty.

9/22
James Milner: 7

The England midfielder was as lively as ever against one of his favourite opponents in Bayern Munich.

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10/22
Samir Nasri: 6

Warned his team-mates this week they could be sold on if they were suffered eliminated, and certainly showed more enterprise than he has in recent matches.

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11/22
Sergio Aguero: 9

The Argentine constantly had the Bayern defence on red alert. A marvellous hat-trick to embarrass world-class opposition, scoring his 15, 16 and 17th goals of the season.

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12/22
Manuel Neuer: 5

Nominated for the Ballon d’Or, but he will not be receiving any awards for this performance. Terrorised by Aguero as the Argentine scored his late hat-trick.

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13/22
Mehdin Benatia: 2

Lasted 25 minutes after he felled Aguero to concede the penalty. The defender, who was a City summer target, was caught out and can have no complaints.

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14/22
Jerome Boateng: 5

Former City man may have set up Lewandowski’s header with a fine cross, but what was he doing to allow Aguero to score his third?

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15/22
Rafinha: 6

Stuck to the defensive side of his game diligently until City bombed forward in the final 10 minutes. Was over-run as the game wore on.

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16/22
Sebastian Rode: 5

It was the end of the Rode after only 26 minutes as he replaced by Dante in an attempt to shore up the Bayern defence following Benatia’s dismissal.

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17/22
Juan Bernat: 4

The 21-year-old Spaniard struggled at times against Navas and Milner, with the majority of City’s attack coming from the right wing at the Etihad.

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18/22
Pierre Höjbjerg: 6

Looked solid alongside Alonso for most the match, but when City decided to turn up the heat he stared to appear very lost indeed.

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19/22
Xabi Alonso: 7

The old pass-master shocked the world with a wayward pass to allow Aguero to run in the score his second, blighting an otherwise great display on his birthday.

GETTYMANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Xabi Alonso of Bayern Muenchen goes past the challenge from Fernando of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Manchester City and F... Read more

20/22
Franck Ribery: 5

Was assured in possession, but offered surprising little in attack as the Frenchman kept the Bayern passing game flowing until he was replaced by Schweinseiger.

21/22
Arjen Robben: 5

Like Ribery on the other flank, was not as much of a nemesis to the City defence as the Etihad faithful would have feared before kick-off.

22/22
Robert Lewandowski: 7

The Polish striker was fouled by Mangala for the free-kick which Bayern equalised from, and scored fantastic poacher’s instinct for Bayern’s second. A ruthless performance.